Do you or one of your employees need Certified Livestock Manager training? University of Illinois Extension is offering 12 workshops to provide livestock producers the manure management training they need to meet the state’s Livestock Management Facilities Act requirements.

Workshop dates and locations are as follows:

Feb. 7 1 Convention Center Plaza, Springfield
Feb. 8 330 N. Buhrman, Nashville
Feb. 13 1350 W. Prairie Drive, Sycamore
Feb. 14 210 W. Spring St., Freeport
Feb. 15 307 S. Madison St., Morrison
Feb. 20 1615 Commerce Parkway, Bloomington
Feb. 21 180 S. Soangetaha Road, Galesburg
Feb. 22 1301 E. Washington, Pittsfield
Feb. 27 1209 North Wenthe Drive, Effingham
Feb. 28 1163 North 4th St., Breese
March 1 1212 Route 14 West, Benton
March 14 State Fairgrounds, Springfield

The three-and-a-half-hour workshops begin at 8:30 a.m. and are followed by the Illinois Department of Agriculture exam. Each workshop will offer curriculum designed to keep producers current on the latest industry practices, including the basics of nutrient management and new technologies, research and trends.

What are the state’s Livestock Management Facilities Act requirements? Facilities with 300 or more animal units need to have at least one employee certified in proper manure handling procedures. For facilities with 300 to 999 animal units, the employee must attend a workshop or pass IDOA’s Certified Livestock Manager exam. Employees of facilities with 1,000 or more animal units must do both to achieve certification.

To register for a workshop, visit the online registration,or call the University of Illinois at 217-244-9687. The registration fee is $35 for individuals and $25 for additional employees from the same farm.

The workshops will use the National Livestock and Poultry Environmental Stewardship instructional manual, which can be purchased for $67.50 by calling 800-345-6087. The manual is also available on a CD for $32.50 or online. Participants do not need a new manual if they have a 2003 or newer version.

Attendees are encouraged to register at least two weeks prior to the workshop to ensure a seat for the session and to allow time to obtain a manual.

For more information, visit the Certified Livestock Manager training webpage, or email Nancy Simpson at [email protected] with registration questions.

Source: University of Illinois